Orientation (aka First Five)

The crew started as 4 people on the same prop plane out of LA, flying low over the desert to the tiny airport in Inyokern. A fifth joined up soon after and the final one came late in the evening. As folks got to know each other, dinner was prepared, rooms were negotiated, and yogurt was made.

The first night was jerk seitan with onions and peppers over rice.

The second day was a modified pre-hitch as vehicles were checked, trailer was packed, and power point presentations were plowed through. Everyone was a trooper, learning how to drive safe and smart, how to identify and respond to sexual harassment, and how to take 5 for safety.

That night was sweet potato burritos.

After dinner and dishes we headed out to the Rands to sleep under the stars. The journey was filled with spooky headlight-lit Joshua trees, poop mistaken for tarantulas, a crushed canteen and desert stars.

The morning was filled with “Well, here we are, in the desert.” We had a quick breakfast and started on a hike in the Western Rands ACEC. There was plant geekery (supplied by me), hill climbs, past restoration, and Ed Waldheim (courtesy of Ed Waldheim). The afternoon was a good discussion about community, the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. We also set up camp. The wind asserted its presence with a brief gust that blew over our easy up. Dinner was carrot cashew curry. That night, there were a few sprinkles that chased most of the crew into the newly pitched green tents. A few troopers braved the rain on our much reduced tarp.

The next day started with a short period of alone time in the desert. Some conservation ethics and travel back into town. There we first marveled over the huge amount of food in our garage. Food got divided, vehicles were checked, water tanks were filled, and errands were run. Dinner was gado gado.

The last day of orientation we finished up our remaining tasks. This included a neighbor meet and greet, vehicle information, and preparation for the Pizza Party in the Park! We brought cookies and Arnold Palmers. We took a driving tour of Ridgecrest right before the Pizza Party. All the crews got together in a park. There was socializing, chaos ball name game, and meeting some local b-ballers. Finally we packed up and went home. Orientation officially over!

- nrw